Description
This Cheesy Chicken Taco Rice with Southwest Ranch is a hearty, one-skillet meal featuring tender spiced chicken, zesty tomatoes, fluffy rice, and melted Colby Jack cheese, finished with creamy toppings for a satisfying dinner packed with Southwest flavor.
Ingredients
- 450 g boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 can (284 g) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 can (227 g) tomato sauce
- 355 ml chicken broth
- 195 g long grain white rice, uncooked and rinsed
- 170 g Colby Jack cheese, shredded
- Sour cream, for serving
- Fresh cilantro, for serving
- Southwest ranch sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken and season with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and dried cilantro. Cook for 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in diced tomatoes with chilies, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and rinsed rice. Mix well.
- Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until rice is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Reduce heat to low, sprinkle Colby Jack cheese on top, cover, and let melt for 2 minutes.
- Serve hot, topped with sour cream, fresh cilantro, and Southwest ranch sauce.
Notes
- Substitute chicken thighs for a juicier version.
- Use tomatoes without green chilies for less heat.
- Add bell peppers, corn, or onions for extra vegetables.
- Swap cheese with cheddar or Monterey Jack blend if preferred.
- Add sour cream to the rice for a creamier texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop (One-Pan)
- Cuisine: Southwest
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
